Official Bannock County Website

Department Mission

The mission of the Bannock County Public Defender is to effectively represent indigent persons in serious criminal, mental health, juvenile, and abuse/neglect cases within Bannock County.  The Court-ordered services provided by the Public Defender are extended to people who cannot afford to hire an attorney.

The Public Defender's duties include arguing preliminary motions in court, conducting criminal investigations, interviewing witnesses and clients, preparing cases for trial, negotiating plea agreements, trying cases in front of juries and judges, and arguing post-trial motions.  The Public Defender occasionally represents defendants in appeals and post-conviction petitions.